The Fire and Smoke Model Evaluation Experiment—A Plan for Integrated, Large Fire–Atmosphere Field Campaigns

The Fire and Smoke Model Evaluation Experiment (FASMEE) is designed to collect integrated observations from large wildland fires and provide evaluation datasets for new models and operational systems. Wildland fire, smoke dispersion, and atmospheric chemistry models have become more sophisticated, and next-generation operational models will require evaluation datasets that are coordinated and comprehensive for their evaluation and advancement. Integrated measurements are required, including ground-based observations of fuels and fire behavior, estimates of fire-emitted heat and emissions fluxes, and observations of near-source micrometeorology, plume properties, smoke dispersion, and atmospheric chemistry. To address these requirements the FASMEE campaign design includes a study plan to guide the suite of required measurements in forested sites representative of many prescribed burning programs in the southeastern United States and increasingly common high-intensity fires in the western United States. Here we provide an overview of the proposed experiment and recommendations for key measurements. The FASMEE study provides a template for additional large-scale experimental campaigns to advance fire science and operational fire and smoke models

Immunoneutralisation of GnRH-I, without cross-reactivity to GnRH-II, in the development of a highly specific anti-fertility vaccine for clinical and veterinary use

In recent years, several forms of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) molecules have been isolated from primate brain. These molecules are very similar in sequence and this raises the question of whether previously developed neutralisation vaccines based on GnRH (now termed GnRH-I) would remove other forms of GnRH (namely GnRH-II) as well. As the function of these other molecules has not yet been clearly defined, potential health risks could exist by their ablation. In view of the high sequence homology between the molecules, this paper describes the production of highly specific polyclonal antibodies against GnRH-I and GnRH-II, with negligible cross-reactivity. The ultimate aim of this is to develop an anti-fertility vaccine which does not present any inappropriate side-effects, caused by neutralisation of a GnRH molecule which may or may not be directly involved in reproduction. Several formulations were investigated, based on analogues of the following molecules, conjugated to tetanus toxoid: GnRH-I pGlu-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly-NH2 GnRH-II pGlu-His-Trp-Ser-His-Gly-Trp-Tyr-Pro-Gly-NH2 The specificity of the antibodies produced was examined, together with effects on fertility and any inappropriate side-effects. Immunostaining of hypothalamic sections was carried out, using the generated antisera, to determine the regional distribution of GnRH-I and GnRH-II neurones, as well as to further evaluate the specifity of the antibodies

Illuminating Movement? Nocturnal Activity Patterns in Chacma Baboons

Recent analyses have shown that typically diurnal primates may periodically exhibit some levels of activity at night. Despite this, there have been few studies that have explored whether diurnal primates living in temperate environments will extend their activity budgets to the nocturnal phase as a response to seasonal constraints. Using dual‐axis accelerometers, we explored whether chacma baboons (Papio ursinus; N = 3) in the western Soutpansberg Mountains, South Africa, responded to seasonally fluctuating levels of day length, lunar illumination, wind speed, precipitation and temperature by heightening or lowering nocturnal activity levels. Our results showed that chacma baboons engaged in low levels of activity at night throughout the year. Although baboons had heighted nocturnal activity as a response to shorter days, moonlit nights and lower temperatures, these responses were most likely due to disturbed sleeping patterns rather than more active movement. Nocturnal activity significantly dropped in a female baboon throughout the course of her pregnancy and remained low after giving birth suggesting that females with infants must increase resting. Our results compliment previous analyses which suggest that although diurnal primates may periodically be active at night, there is limited evidence for strategic use of the nocturnal phase even in highly seasonal environments